Torque block and wear compensating device



Dec. 20, 1938. I B T 7 zmwse TORQUE BLOCK AND WEAR COMPENSATING DEYICE Filed Feb. 6, 1936 Patented Dec. 20, 1938 TORQUE BLOCK AND WEAR COMPENSATING DEVICE John E. Hcrbst, Newton, Iowa, assignor to The Ma Company, Newton, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Application February 6, issa'seriai N5. 62,568

3 Claims. (01. 68-133) The present invention relates to a novel torque block, and wear compensating device and more particularly to a drive means for oscillating or 1 rotatingan impeller or agitator for a washing machine. 1 7

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel driving connection between the .drive shaft of a. washing machine and the impeller or agitator to be driven thereby.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel construction of drive head and torque block for driving the center post of an impeller or agitator.

Another object of the present'invention is to provide a wear compensating means and mechanism for the center-post of a washing machine whereby to form an adjustable connection between the driving and driven parts and adapted to compensate for any-wear to the operative 7 connection and complementary .surface of these parts. In the disclosed embodiment, there is pro vided a torque block or member and a drive hub or head suitably attached to the agitator or impeller, said torque member and hub or'head being formed or provided with complementary ens gaging surfaces. By the present invention, any wear on either of these surfaces may be compensated for by readily adjustable means.

A still further object isto provide a readily- 3o adjustable driving connection between a drive and driven member of a washing machine, in which-one of the members is readily expansible and the other member is provided with or carries means for causing such expansion and therei 35 by cause a tight driving connection at all times between these members.

Another object is to provide a novel means and mechanism for adjustably' and detachably mounting an impeller or agitator of a washing machine upon the drive shaft.

' Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efliciency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will 45 later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby. I The invention further resides in the construction, combination and arrangements of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and 50 while I have shown therein a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the; same is susceptible of modification and change, and comprehends other details, arrangementsof parts, features and constructions without departing from the spirit of the invention. v

v In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the agitator or impeller, with the driving connection shown in vertical cross section.

, Fig. 2 is a view, part in side elevation and part in vertical cross section, -of the adjustable cap.

Fig. 3 is a view, part in side elevation and part in vertical cross section, of the drive hub or head.

Fig. 4 is a view in side elevation of the torque block.

Fig. 5 is a view in horizpntal cross section taken ina plane represented by theline 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the torque block.

Referring moreparticularly to the disclosure in the drawing, the novel invention is shown as embodied in a washing machine provided with a tub I and an impeller or agitator 2 adapted to oscillate therein'by means of drive shaft 3. This shaft is adapted to be; operated by means. of a pinion 4 mounted thereon and in meshing engageme'nt with a gear segment or rack 5. Suitable clutching means may be provided for clutching or de-clutching the pinion and gear segment or rack. In the disclosed embodiment the drive shaft 3 is split, each section being provided with a clutch plate or member 6, 6, the plate on the lower. section of the. shaft being movable verti- 'cally with the shaft and pinion, into or out of clutching engagement by a suitable clutch handle or the like convenientlylocated. Suitable power drive means are contemplated for operating or driving the segment or rack for rapidly oscillating the agitator or impeller.

Upon the upper section of the drive shaft 2 is mounted a torque block 1 by means of a pin or the like 8. As more clearly shown in Fig. 4,

this torque block or member is partially severed at 9, the lower part I ll being solid except for a slot II providing a passage for lubricant or oil. The upper part is split or slit at l2 into segments l3 which maybe expanded as the occasion arises.

The impeller or agitator 2 is provided with an upstanding high center post or hollow sleeve l4 adapted to receive and encompass the drive shaft. Suitably mounted in the upper end of this post or sleeve is a drive head or hub l5having a. reduced shank or body It adapted to be received in and suitably connected to the upper end of the post or sleeve, with the upper edge of the sleeve abutting against the shoulders IT. This head or hub is hollow and its interior configuration is substantially the same as the exterior shape oncontour of the torque block. In

surfaces are square or rectangular in shape, with their corners rounded, but any suitable contour for giving a driving connection may be employed. An oil or lubricant slot l8 coincides with the slot 9, while longitudinally extending grooves I9 are formed in the interior of the drive head.

An opening 20 in the drive head and an aligned opening 2| in the torque block, are downwardly and inwardly tapered to receive the tapered shank 22 of an adjustable cap 23. The reduced end 24 of the shank is threaded for reception in a threaded opening 25 in the upper, part of the drive shaft 3.

In order to compensate for any wear on either the torque block or drive head, the cap 23 is screwed down until the tapered surface of the shank 22 is brought into abutting contact with the tapered side wall of the opening 2| and then expands the segments l3 and forces them into contacting engagement with the interior of the 'drive head.

It will be readily appreciated that the novel construction and arrangement provides not only a novel means of mounting an agitator or impeller in its proper predetermined position and relation in a washing machine, but also provides a novel means and mechanism for compensating for any wear on the drive or driven member, and thereby at all times providing a tight driving connection.

Having thus disclosedthe invention, I claim:

1. In a washing machine, adrive shaft therefor, an agitator having a tubular stem for receiving' the drive shaft, an expansible torque block mounted on the upper end of the shaft, a drive head carried by the upper end of the stern,

complementary engaging surfaces on the block and drive head, and a locking member having a threaded shank adapted to be threaded into the end of the shaft and a tapered part adapted to expand the block into tight frictional engagement with the head and lock the parts together.

2. In a washing machine, a drive shaft therefor, an agitator providedwith a tubular stem adapted to be mounted on the drive shaft, an exp'ansible torque block mounted on the drive shaft, a head connected to the tubular stem and provided with a socket adapted to receive the block, complementary surfaces on the torque block and socket forming a driving connection, and a wedge-shaped locking member adapted to expand the block to compensate for wear on either of the complementary surfaces and maintain a tight driving connection.

3. In a washing machine, a drive shaft therefor, an agitator-provided with a tubular stem ,adapted to be mounted on the drive shaft, an

expansible driving block mounted 'on the end of the driving shaft, a drive head on the tubular stem and provided with a socket adapted to receive the block, complementary surfaces on the exterior of the block and interior of the socket to form a driving connection, and a locking member having a threaded shank adapted to be received in a tapped, hole in the drive shaft, a tapered part adapted to expand the driving block into surface contact with the head whereby to maintain a tight connection between the block and head and compensate for wear on their complementary surfaces, and a cap adapted to be grasped to rotated the locking member for assembly, adjustment and removal.

JOHN E. HERBST, 

